Causes and Solutions
You’re trying to feed your baby, but he’s squirming, crying, and refusing to take the bottle. You’re frustrated, worried, and wondering what’s wrong. You’re not alone. Many parents struggle with a fussy baby during feeding time.
A fussy baby during feeding bottle is a common problem that can have various causes, such as gas, reflux, allergies, or nipple issues. It can make feeding time stressful and difficult for both you and your baby.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common reasons why your baby is fussy during feeding bottle, and how to solve them. We’ll also share some tips and tricks to make feeding time easier and more enjoyable for both of you.
Reason 1: Gas- Why Your Baby Fussy During Feeding Bottle
Gas is one of the most common reasons why your baby is fussy during feeding bottle. Gas can build up in your baby’s stomach or intestines, causing pressure, pain, and discomfort. Your baby may arch his back, pull his legs up, or cry out while feeding.
Gas can be caused by several factors, such as:
Swallowing air while feeding, especially if your baby is hungry, has a poor latch, or uses a fast-flow nipple.
Digestive issues such as lactose intolerance, constipation, or bacterial overgrowth.
Maternal diet if you are breastfeeding, some foods that you eat may cause gas in your baby, such as dairy, beans, broccoli, or spicy foods.
To prevent and relieve gas in your baby, you can try the following solutions:
Burp your baby well before, during, and after feeding. You can burp your baby by holding him upright on your shoulder, or laying him on your lap and gently patting his back. You can also use a burp cloth to catch any spit-up.
Feed your baby in an upright position, and tilt the bottle slightly so that the nipple is always full of milk and not air. This will reduce the amount of air your baby swallows while feeding.
Use a bottle with a slow-flow nipple and a vent system to reduce air intake. You can also try different types of bottles and nipples to find the best fit for your baby.
Gently massage your baby’s belly in a clockwise motion to help move the gas along. You can also apply a warm compress or a heating pad to your baby’s abdomen to ease the pain.
Move your baby’s legs in a bicycle motion to help release the gas. You can also gently press your baby’s knees to his chest and hold for a few seconds, then release and repeat.
Use a gas relief drop or product recommended by your pediatrician. These products contain simethicone, which helps break up the gas bubbles in your baby’s stomach. You can also try natural remedies such as chamomile tea, fennel seeds, or probiotics.
Here is a table that summarizes the causes and solutions for gas in your baby:
Cause – Solution
Swallowing air – Burp your baby well, feed your baby in an upright position, use a bottle with a slow-flow nipple and a vent system
Digestive issues – Consult your pediatrician, switch to a hypoallergenic or lactose-free formula, or avoid foods that cause gas if breastfeeding
Maternal diet – Avoid foods that cause gas if breastfeeding, such as dairy, beans, broccoli, or spicy foods
Reason 2: Reflux- Why Your Baby Fussy During Feeding Bottle
Reflux is another common reason why your baby is fussy during feeding bottle. Reflux occurs when the stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus, causing irritation, burning, and spitting up. Your baby may cough, gag, or choke while feeding, or refuse to feed at all.
Reflux can be due to various reasons, eg:
Underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This is the muscle that prevents the stomach contents from flowing back up. In babies, this muscle is not fully mature yet and may open or relax at the wrong time, allowing reflux to happen.
Overfeeding or feeding too fast. This can put pressure on the LES and make it more likely to open. It can also cause your baby to swallow more air, which can increase gas and reflux.
Food allergies or intolerances. These can trigger inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract, which can worsen reflux. Some common allergens or intolerances are cow’s milk protein, soy, wheat, or eggs.
Other medical conditions. These can include hiatal hernia, pyloric stenosis, or neurological disorders. These conditions can affect the structure or function of the digestive system and cause reflux.
To prevent and treat reflux in your baby, you can try the following solutions:
Avoid overfeeding your baby, and feed him smaller, more frequent meals. You can also try to pace the feeding and take breaks to burp your baby.
Keep your baby upright for at least 20 minutes after feeding, and elevate his head while sleeping. This will help gravity keep the stomach contents down and prevent reflux.
Switch to a thickened formula, or add a thickening agent such as rice cereal to your baby’s formula. This will make the formula heavier and harder to reflux. However, this may also increase the risk of constipation, so consult your pediatrician before trying this.
Ask your pediatrician about using an antacid or a medication that reduces stomach acid production. These medications can help neutralize or decrease the acid in your baby’s stomach, which can reduce the irritation and pain caused by reflux. However, these medications may also have side effects, such as diarrhea, constipation, or nausea, so use them with caution and under your pediatrician’s guidance.
Consider changing your baby’s formula or your diet if you are breastfeeding. If your baby has a food allergy or intolerance, eliminating the offending food from his diet or yours may help reduce reflux. You can try a hypoallergenic formula, or a breast milk alternative, such as rice or oat milk. You can also avoid eating foods that may trigger reflux in your baby, such as spicy, acidic, or fatty foods.
Here is a table that summarizes the causes and solutions for reflux in your baby:
Cause – Solution
Underdeveloped LES – Avoid overfeeding, keep baby upright, use thickened formula
Overfeeding or feeding too fast – Pace the feeding, take breaks to burp, use slow-flow nipple
Food allergies or intolerances – Switch to hypoallergenic formula or breast milk alternative, avoid foods that trigger reflux
Other medical conditions – Consult your pediatrician, get proper diagnosis and treatment
Reason 3: Allergies- Why Your Baby Fussy During Feeding Bottle
Allergies are another possible reason why your baby is fussy during feeding bottle. Allergies occur when your baby’s immune system reacts to a substance in the formula or breast milk, such as cow’s milk protein, soy, or wheat. Your baby may have symptoms such as rash, diarrhea, vomiting, or blood in the stool, along with fussiness and feeding refusal.
Allergies can be caused by several factors, such as:
Genetics. If you or your partner have a history of food allergies, your baby may be more likely to develop them as well.
Early exposure. If your baby is exposed to a potential allergen before 4 to 6 months of age, it may be more likely to develop an allergy to it later on.
Delayed introduction. If your baby is not exposed to a potential allergen until after 12 months of age, it may be more likely to develop an allergy to it as well.
To identify and manage allergies in your baby, you can try the following solutions:
Try an elimination diet. This is where you remove the suspected allergen from your baby’s diet for a few weeks and see if the symptoms improve. For example, if you think your baby is allergic to cow’s milk protein, you can switch to a soy-based or hydrolyzed formula, or avoid dairy products if you are breastfeeding. You can also keep a food diary to track what you and your baby eat and how they react.
Consult with your pediatrician or an allergist. They can help you confirm the diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for your baby. They can also do a skin or blood test to check for specific antibodies to the allergen.
Switch to a hypoallergenic formula or a breast milk alternative. If your baby is confirmed to have a food allergy, you may need to change their formula or your diet if you are breastfeeding. You can try a formula that is specially designed for babies with allergies, such as an amino acid-based formula, or a breast milk alternative, such as rice or oat milk.
You can also ask your doctor about using an epinephrine auto-injector in case of a severe allergic reaction.
Avoid eating foods that contain the allergen if you are breastfeeding. If your baby is allergic to a food that you eat, it may pass through your breast milk and cause a reaction in your baby. You may need to avoid foods that contain the allergen, such as dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, or fish. You can also read food labels carefully and look for hidden sources of the allergen.
Reason 4: Nipple Issues- Why Your Baby Fussy During Feeding Bottle
Nipple issues are another common cause of fussiness during feeding bottles. Nipple issues can include the size, shape, flow, or material of the nipple. Your baby may have trouble latching, sucking, or swallowing, or may get frustrated or bored with the nipple.
Nipple issues can be caused by several factors, such as:
Inconsistency between breast and bottle. If you are combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding, your baby may prefer one over the other, or get confused by the different sensations and techniques. Your baby may also develop a nipple preference or confusion, which means they reject one type of nipple and only accept the other.
Wrong nipple size or flow. Babies may grow frustrated if they are either not getting enough milk or if they are getting too much in their mouths. Changing the size of your bottle’s nipples could help make sure your baby isn’t struggling to get the appropriate amount of milk. If you notice that he’s struggling, needing to suck harder to get his milk then you should size up1. If your baby is choking, coughing, or spitting up a lot, then you should size down.
Nipple shape or material. Some babies may prefer a certain shape or material of the nipple, such as orthodontic, angled, or silicone. You may need to try different types of nipples to find the best fit for your baby. You can also look for cues from your baby, such as how they open their mouth, how they suck, and how they swallow.
Tongue issues. Some babies may have a tongue issue, such as a tongue tie, that makes it hard for them to latch or suck properly. A tongue tie is a condition where the frenulum, the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too short or tight, restricting the tongue’s movement3. This can affect your baby’s feeding, speech, and oral hygiene. You may need to consult with your pediatrician or a lactation consultant to diagnose and treat a tongue tie.
To find and use the right nipple for your baby, you can try the following solutions:
Experiment with different brands, sizes, and shapes of nipples. You may need to try several types of nipples before you find the one that works best for your baby. You can also ask your pediatrician or a lactation consultant for recommendations. You can also read reviews from other parents who have tried different nipples and see what they liked or disliked.
Look for cues from your baby. You can observe your baby’s behavior and reactions while feeding, and adjust the nipple accordingly. For example, if your baby is sucking hard, pulling away, or making clicking noises, they may need a larger or faster nipple. If your baby is choking, coughing, or spitting up, they may need a smaller or slower nipple. If your baby is biting, chewing, or playing with the nipple, they may need a different shape or material.
Match the nipple flow to your baby’s feeding pace. You can also try to sync the nipple flow with your baby’s natural rhythm and appetite. For example, you can start with a slow-flow nipple and gradually increase the flow as your baby grows and needs more milk. You can also switch to a faster nipple when your baby is very hungry, and a slower nipple when your baby is less hungry or sleepy.
Check the material of the nipple. You can also choose a nipple that is soft, flexible, and BPA-free. BPA is a chemical that is used to make some plastics, and it may have harmful effects on your baby’s health. You can look for nipples that are labeled as BPA-free, or use glass or stainless steel bottles instead of plastic ones.
Here is a table that summarizes the causes and solutions for nipple issues in your baby:
Cause – Solution
Inconsistency between breast and bottle – Experiment with different nipples, look for cues from your baby, match the nipple flow to your baby’s feeding pace, consult your pediatrician or a lactation consultant
Wrong nipple size or flow – Experiment with different nipples, look for cues from your baby, match the nipple flow to your baby’s feeding pace, and size up or down as needed
Nipple shape or material – Experiment with different nipples, look for cues from your baby, and choose a nipple that is soft, flexible, and BPA-free
Tongue issues – Consult your pediatrician or a lactation consultant, diagnose and treat a tongue tie, and choose a nipple that suits your baby’s tongue movement
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve learned about the most common reasons why your baby is fussy during feeding bottle, and how to solve them. We’ve covered gas, reflux, allergies, and nipple issues, and provided some tips and tricks to prevent and treat them.
We hope this article has helped you understand and cope with your baby’s fussiness during feeding bottle. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to leave them below. We’d love to hear from you!
